A recent hypothesis linking Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey to the elusive creator of Bitcoin, known only by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, has sparked intrigue in the cryptocurrency world. On February 15th, financial news editor Seán Murray published a detailed thread on X (formerly Twitter), presenting what he views as evidence that Dorsey might secretly be Nakamoto.
The Case for Jack Dorsey as Satoshi Nakamoto
Murray's theory is built on a series of coincidences between Dorsey’s life and Bitcoin’s early development:
Date Alignments:
- Bitcoin's first transaction occurred on January 11th, aligning with Dorsey’s mother’s birthday.
- Satoshi's last block was mined on March 5, 2010—Dorsey’s father’s birthday.
- Birthday Connection: Satoshi joined the Bitcoin forum on November 19, matching Dorsey’s birthday.
- Timestamps: Bitcoin’s original code consistently shows 4 a.m. timestamps, a time linked to Dorsey’s early Twitter activity.
Geographical Ties
Murray highlights potential links to Dorsey’s hometown and workplace:
- A 2014 incident tied Satoshi to St. Louis, Missouri—Dorsey’s hometown.
- An IP address traced to California appeared when Satoshi logged into Internet Relay Chat in 2009; Dorsey frequently worked at Twitter’s California headquarters.
👉 Explore more about Bitcoin’s mysterious origins
Skepticism and Counterarguments
Critics challenge the theory with key contradictions:
- Philosophical Disconnect: Satoshi championed censorship-resistant currency, while Dorsey later enforced content policies on Twitter.
- Safety Concerns: Blockchain researcher Jameson Lopp warns that falsely accusing someone of being Satoshi could endanger them.
Other speculated identities—like Hal Finney, Adam Back, and Nick Szabo—remain in the mix, though none have been proven.
Dorsey’s Cryptic Response
During a 2020 interview, Dorsey ambiguously addressed the speculation:
“No, and if I were, would I inform you?”
He has yet to directly engage with Murray’s claims, leaving the theory unresolved.
Why the Identity Matters
Satoshi’s estimated holdings of 1 million BTC (worth ~$96 billion) make this more than a curiosity—it’s a question of unprecedented financial and technological legacy.
👉 Dive deeper into Bitcoin’s enigmatic history
FAQs
Q: What evidence supports Jack Dorsey as Satoshi?
A: Proponents cite date alignments (birthdays, Bitcoin milestones), timestamps matching Dorsey’s habits, and geographical ties to St. Louis and California.
Q: Why do critics doubt the theory?
A: Philosophical inconsistencies (e.g., Twitter’s censorship vs. Bitcoin’s ethos) and lack of direct proof raise skepticism.
Q: Who else has been suspected of being Satoshi?
A: Hal Finney, Nick Szabo, and Adam Back are among other speculated identities, though none confirmed.